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Zimbabwe military officials given key jobs in post-Mugabe Cabinet

Harare: Zimbabwe's new president has announced a fresh cabinet with key roles given to veterans of the ruling Zanu-PF party and senior soldiers, and no posts for the opposition.

Emmerson Mnangagwa took power after a military takeover and popular protests ousted Robert Mugabe last week. Many hoped the 75-year-old would give leading opposition politicians significant roles in an "inclusive" government in line with his promises to reach out to all "patriotic Zimbabweans".
Analysts said the decision was "a negative pointer", while opposition figures and activists reacted strongly to the announcement overnight.
Tendai Biti, a former finance minister and opposition politician, called the move a "betrayal". "We are now dealing with a junta. We have the answer to if the coup was done to give Zimbabwe a chance or to protect the private interests of certain individuals and the ruling party," Biti said.
"Now we the citizens have to regroup and [fight] for a normal elected political authority."
Doug Coltart, a human rights activist, said the new cabinet "does not represent a new Zimbabwe but the entrenchment of the old failed political elite". Twitter Ads info and privacy "It's very concerning. It's a very hardline … government. Very little changes for the struggle that is ongoing to open up political space," he said.

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